Campus Life

Oglethorpe’s Got Spirit! (Yes, we do!)

Last week marked the beginning of a new tradition on campus as Oglethorpe University experienced its first-ever Spirit Week, leading up to the weekend’s Homecoming basketball game and dance.

Each day of Spirit Week ushered in a different theme:

– Monday, February 6 was Geek Day and the suspenders were in full swing as students embraced their inner geek spirit.

– February 7 was Tacky Tuesday, when being tacky was the new chic as students broke out their ugliest sweaters. (Wow!)

– Wednesday was the annual Oglethorpe Day, honoring our school’s namesake. Students showed their Oglethorpe pride and came out in record numbers to watch the Petrels of Fire Race, a decades-long tradition in which runners try to circle the quad and beat the tolling of the noon bells. (Still no winner this year…)

A contest for highest class participation on Oglethorpe Day was won by the Class of 2015.  As a prize, February 15 was declared Freshmen Day and members of the class enjoyed a Freshmen Feast, provided by Campus Life.

After the race, students (and staff!) participated in a shopping carts “floats” parade, decorated by student organizations and university departments. Sigma Sigma Sigma took home the prize for the best 2012 Homecoming Float.

The ladies of Sigma Sigma Sigma – winners of the 2012 Shopping Cart Parade contest

The parade led to the Conant Performing Arts Center for a presentation on “What Happens in Cuba Doesn’t Stay in Cuba,” given by faculty and students who traveled to Cuba over winter break as part of a semester-long study of the historic, economic, political and cultural facets of the country.

– Thursday was deemed Black & Gold Day and students proudly wore the OU colors and participated in that evenings Homecoming bonfire.

– Friday was Spirit Shirt Day and the day of the Homecoming games. The battle with Sewanee was set and Oglethorpe students were riled up from a week of spirit-building. The game ended with a 69-49 win over Sewanee.

Kappa Sigma Fraternity – Winners of the 2012 Homecoming Spirit Award.

Students seemed more passionate than ever at this year’s Homecoming game and that was not overlooked. Student Government Association awarded the first-ever Oglethorpe University Homecoming Spirit Award trophy. This year’s winner was Kappa Sigma, a new fraternity on campus.

The grand finale of the Spirit Week fun was “A Starry Night in Paris,” Saturday’s Homecoming dance at the Westin Hotel Atlanta.

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